Introduction – This prophetic work originates in the same year as Haggai – two or three months after in 520 BC. Zechariah is a priest and a prophet, grandson of Iddo who was head of the priestly families returning from the exile. He is writing to encourage the returning remnant to repent and renew the relationship with Yahweh.

Zechariah 1 – “’Return to me and I will return to you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Don’t be like your ancestors who would…

Introduction: Haggai, another one of the twelve minor prophets, was active during the rebuilding of the second Temple. He began his ministry about 16 years after the return of the Jews to Jerusalem (c. 520 BC). The work on the Temple had been halted as a result of some conflict between the Samaritans and the Judeans, but thanks to prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the project got going again.

Haggai 1 – It is the year 520 – August of that year –…

Introduction to Habakkuk

Eighth of the 12 minor prophets. The text was probably from the late 7^th c. when the Chaldaeans [Hellenic term for Babylonians] were growing strong. The first two books are part of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Habakkuk 1 –“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save” (1:2). “I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has…

Introduction: Zephaniah, one of the “minor prophets,” was the great-grandson of Hezekiah and lived during the time of Josiah (641-610 BC). He was a contemporary and supporter of Jeremiah and was active as a prophet during the reign of King Josiah (641-611). The two preceding kings – Amon and Manassah had introduced the cult of Baal and Astarte into the Holy City and Josiah wanted to put an end to it.

Zephaniah 1 – After introducing…

Micah 6 – The mountains and hills will be witness to Yahweh’s accusations against his people – the very foundations of the earth. God has given us so many blessings – how shall we return thanks? Sacrifices? Libations? First-born children? NO!! “What is good has been explained to you, man; this is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God” (6:8).

But what we do instead is keep the standard of the world – we gain…

Micah 5 – The terrible weakness and frailty of Israel’s earthly kings is compared to the coming strength of the messianic ruler “[Y]ou, (Bethlehem) Ephrathah, the least of the clans . . .out of you will be born for me the one who is to rule over Israel. . .” (5:2). “The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth” (5:3). Then the time will come when a new ruler of Israel will come and lead his fellow countrymen “with the Lord’s…